Acts 4:20 (GNV)

Passage

For we cannot but speake the things which we haue seene and heard.

Nearby Context

Acts 4:18 So they called them, and commanded them, that in no wise they should speake or teach in the Name of Iesus.

Acts 4:19 But Peter and Iohn answered vnto them, and said, Whether it be right in the sight of God, to obey you rather then God, iudge ye.

Acts 4:20 For we cannot but speake the things which we haue seene and heard.

Acts 4:21 So they threatened them, and let them goe, and found nothing how to punish them, because of the people: for all men praised God for that which was done.

Acts 4:22 For the man was aboue fourtie yeeres olde, on whome this miracle of healing was shewed.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "speake", "things", "haue", "seene", and "heard". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "speake" and "things", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 19's "But Peter and Iohn answered vnto them..." into verse 21's "So they threatened them and let them...", so "speake" and "things" belong inside that flow. In Acts context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "speake" and "things" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.